Old man

The old man initially tries to sell his carved lion for three shillings and sixpence to the young couple, but fails. Later, he shouts to the young man already on the train that he will sell it for one-and-six. His acceptance of such a low price and his breath, visible "between his ribs," indicate that he is desperate and probably very poor. His polite manners, his "smiling, not from the heart, but at the customer," indicate both his dire circumstances and his dependence on tourists like the young couple. Gordimer offers little description, but indicates that he is very old, a man who murmurs, "as old people repeat things to themselves." Gordimer refers twice to his feet in the sand, thus showing the old man's connection with the land, which contrasts with the young couple who are enclosed in the train.